Given a beating in their own backyard

minutes later, Pickford’s long ball again proved vital. This time it found Kane, who held off Wolves’ Spain right-back Jonny, turned and fed Rashford to race through and fire past his Manchester United teammate David de Gea.

Spain looked shell-shocked. Big players were falling apart. When Spain won at Wembley last month, England showed a lack of quality in midfield. Yet here was Dier, Ross Barkley and Harry Winks (right) taking apart Sergio Busquets, Thiago Alcantara and Saul Niguez.

And when Busquets lost possession after 37 minutes, Barkley’s pass found Kane and his lay-off set up Sterling to score from close range.

Spain were jeered off at half time, and came out fighting after the break.

Luis Enrique brought on Paco Alcacer and Dani Ceballos after 57 minutes – a move which quickly paid off. Pickford needlessly conceded a corner, the ball came across and Alacer lost his marker to head home within two minutes of his introduction. It was his 10th goal in six games.

England were rocking. Pickford lost his head, was caught in possession by Rodrigo and had a lucky escape when he appeared to foul the Spaniard in the penalty area as he tried to recover the ball, only for referee Szymon Marciniak to award a corner.

Southgate (left) brought on Kyle Walker for Barkley and reverted to a back three to try to shore up the defence.

Ramos scored a diving header with what proved the last touch of the game.

It was nothing more than a consolation on a night when Spain were second best.